DE2019'America's Favorite Train' posted record-breaking ridership numbers in 2019!

NNEPRA announced that 574,404 passengers took the Downeaster last year, which was a 7.8% increase over 2017's record of 546,056.

Marketing Director Natalie Bogart reported that "August of last year saw an all-time record of 60,944 - the first time that Downeaster ridership had surpassed 60,000 passengers in a month."

In a press release, NNEPRA attributes the ridership surge to the "increased frequency to Freeport and Brunswick, improve reliability, as well as repeat riders. The Downeaster's Amtrak Customer Satisfaction score of 91% suggests that people are not only riding the Downeaster, but finding it to be enjoyable as well." 

NNEPRA Board Chairman John Melrose spoke of the future, "We are committed to the continued growth of the Downeaster service and are working hard in 2020 to improve/expand transportation alternatives to further enhance mobility to our citizens and support economic growth for Maine businesses."

The service began on December 15th of 2001, and since then the Downeaster has been a trailblazer in passenger rail service!